Chuck



All@ '99 1ML c. A. PALMGREN ,2,253,345

CHUCK Filed Aug. v12, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 19, 1941.'l jc. A. PALMGREN CHUCK Filed Aug. 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Carl Falngrefz ffy Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNI-TED srATllsV PATENT -OFFICE 2,253,345 V CHECK carl n. raimgren, chicago, 111. Appueatitn August 12, 1939, serial No. 299,770

, e Claims.

The linvention relates to` improvements in Ichucks for securely gripping and `holding in op` erative position'boring toolsand the like and has for its principal object thelprovision ot a new and improved automatic chuck whereby the insertion of a`tool will require the minimum release of the `tool held thereby while the Vshank of the chuck continues its rotation" and which release may be effected by the operator easily and withoutdanger and with the minimumof time and effort.

`Another object is to provide a chuck which and the slots thebase will be automatic in the sense that actuation of i a member on the exterior of the chuck will cause release of the tool from the same and whereby return of said movable member to initial position will effect a grip on said tool or on a new tool that has been inserted in the chuck.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic chuck as described whereby'actuation of` said exterior member to release the tool or effect" a grip onta` new tool will not require stopping of the machine providing power for rotating the chuck and whereby the new tool may be inserted' without danger to the operator since the gripping jaws can be held against rotation.` i y Another object has reference to a chuck which will grip and hold the tool with an intensity that increases indirect proportion to the increase in pressure applied to the tool during the boring and"`other operations.

Another object is the provision of an automatic chuck wherein the movable member on the exterior thereoffor releasing the gripping jaws or for setting the jaws so that they grip a tool will require actuation in `an upward direction and which` is against' gravity so that it is therefore impossible to inadvertently actuate said movable member,` i i f With these and various other objects in View, the invention may consist of certain novel fea'- tures ofconstruction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claimstappended hereto. i

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention and wherein like reference characters are used to` designate like parts-- A Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the present Ichuck with shank attached; showing of the present chuck;

" i internal construction of the chuck with the parts in one position of operation;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View similar to Figure 1 but showing the internal parts of the chuck in their other position of operation;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure l;

lgure 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially along line 4,-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is aview elevation of the-adapter Figure 6 is an elevational View of the retainer of the chuck showingr the tl'ireailedV upper end t t portion thereof for holding the gripping jaws;

Figure 7 is a perspective View showing one of the slidable release studs;

Figure 8 is a Vertical sectional view showing a modified form of automatic chuck embodying the features of the invention;

Figure 9 isa View in elevation `of the retaining member for the-form of chuck shown in ,Figure El; j

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on line Ill-II) of Figure 8; l

. Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line lI-Ifl of Figure 8 and showing the pivoting means for the release nsers; A

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line l2-l2 of Figure il;

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line I3--l3 of Figure 8; and Figure 14 is an elevational view showing the adapter of the `chuck'of Figure 8.

Referring to thev drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 2, the chuckvof the invention in its preferred `formA is shownin association with a shank I5 having a portion It formed on its lower end which tapers reversely to the general taper of the shank. The shank is adapted to be insertedwithin a `holder forming part ofthe drill `pressor other -machinal not shown, and which supplies power `for rotating the chuck, the same being transmitted thereto through the shank l5. The tapered lower end I6 is nonrotatably secured tol an adapter oribody member indicated in its entirety by numeral H, Figure 5, which is of generally cylindrical shape having the vertical passage "|18 'of variable diameter ex tending centrally `through the same.: Theupper portion of` tljleadapte'r"1"!4 is vsecured to the shank as Vabove fdescribed. The lowerl lend thereof-'is somewhat enlarged with' respect to its exterior diameter as at 20 andi` which enlarged lend' isprovided with internal tapering surfaces 2| which form a flaring entrance for the central p-assage I8 extending vertically of the adapter.

The enlarged portion 2t at the lower end of the adapter receives a sleeve 22 which is rotatably mounted on said lower end and retained in said position by the retaining ring 23 having intertting relation with the groove 24 formed on the exterior of the adapter immediately above the portion 20 of enlarged diameter. In order that the sleeve may be more easily grasped and held while rotating with the adapter the invention provides an auxiliary sleeve 25 rotatably mounted on the sleeve 2i! and releasably held thereto by the retaining ring 26. The said retaining rings may be removed by using a small tool such as a screw driver, but when operatively positioned they allow rotation of the auxiliary sleeve 25 on the main sleeve 22 and rotation of said main sleeve with respect to the adapter I1. It will also be observed that the sleeve 22 may have slidable movement on the adapter in a substantially vertical direction, as clearly shown in the drawings, by the changed position of the parts in Figures 1 and 2.

The nose portion 21 of the main sleeve is internally threaded at 28 and tapering surfaces 30 are formed on the interior immediately above the threads. By means of the threads a retaining member indicated in its entirety by numeral 3|, Figure 6, is fixedly secured to the main sleeve 22, the same extending within said sleeve and having a threaded upper end 32 located within the passage I8. The retaining member is provided with three slots such as 33 which are disposed lengthwise of the retaining member and spaced from each other approximately 120 degrees. The slots receive the gripping jaws 34. Said jaws may be described as generally triangular in shape, the gripping edge of the jaws forming the hypotenuse or long side of the triangle. The pointed edge of each jaw is directed inwardly, as best shown in Figure 4, so that the same is adapted to engage and clamp the tool 35 inserted within the retaining member for the purpose. The two remaining edges of each jaw, which form the other side of the triangle, slope in opposite directions and as a result of these opposed sloping surfaces each ingly forced into an expanded position this action on =the tapering surfaces 2| of the adapter will also result in locating the sleeve in its lowermost position. The upper end of the retaining member is threaded as at 32 and in accordance with the invention releasable means are provided for engaging said threads to thereby cause movement `of the retaining member and sleeve in an upward direction with respect to the adapter to produce a closing movement of the gripping jaws and thus a gripping action 4on a tool or the like inserted within the jaws. The releasable means above referred to in the preferred form of the invention comprises slidable studs 40, Figure 7, each having threads 4| formed on its inner end and. having a cap portion 42 of arcuate contour transversely on the exterior surface. The upper end. of said cap portion is reduced in thickness as at 43, which reduction takes place gradually as a result of the sloping part 44. Diametrically opposed openings 45 in the adapter each receive a slidable release stud 40 so that the teeth 4| on the inner surface of each stud is positioned for coaction with the threads 32 on the upper portion of the retaining member. The coil springs 46 positioned within recesses 41 yieldingly maintain the studs released with respect to the threads 32 on the retaining member. Such coil springs as shown in Figures 1 and 2 contact the baseA of their respective recess at one end and engage the inner surface of the Cap portion 42 of the studs at their other end.

An actuating ring 48 is mounted on the adapter l1 for actuating the studs so that they can be released with respect to the threads 32 on the retaining member or forced into engagement therewith. Said actuating ring may be formed in two parts, suitably joined by the threads 49 so as to comprise a unit. The interior of the actuating ring is formed to accommodate the cap portions 42 of the studs 40. This will be clearly evident by reference to Figure l, wherein the ring member 48 has been moved on the adapter I1 into its upper position, in which position of the gripping jaw is positively forced in a direction ini tool is securely gripped and 22. The tapering edge 36 of to the tapering surfaces 2| slope or taper of the edge wardly so that the held by the sleeve each jaw 34 conforms of the adapter, which 31 conforms to that of the surface 30 the said edge engages. Each gripping jaw is provided with an opening approximately centrally thereof through which is inserted the expanding member 38, Figure 4, in the form of a ring of resilient wire which will cause outward movement of the gripping jaws to thereby allow insertion of a tool such as a drill 35. A feature of the present chuck resides in the rotatable mounting of the sleeve 22 on the adapter I1 and in the rotatable mounting of the auxiliary sleeve 25 on the said main sleeve 22. Also it is important that the sleeve 22 have slidable movement on the adapter I1 since the retaining member must move upwardly within the adapter in order to force the gripping jaws into gripping relation with the tool.

The sleeve 22 will have a tendency to assume its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 2, since the weight ofthe sleeve will move it into this position and this is further accentuated by the retaining member 3| and the gripping jaws 34 retained thereby. Also since the jaws are yieldwith which ring member the large interior diameter within the same is associated with the said cap portion. As a result the slidable studs 40 are allowed t0 move outwardly, which movement is effected by the coil springs 46 to thereby release the studs from engagement with the threads 32 on the upper end of the retaining member. When the ring member 48 is moved down on the adapter I1 the small diameter on the interior surface of said ring member is caused to contact the cap portions 42 of the studs and move said studs inwardly. In this position the studs engage the threads 32 and accordingly the adapter and retaining member are threadedly connected.

In the modification shown in Figures 8 to 14 inclusive the chuck is associated with a shank ||5 -of conventional form having a tapering portion IIB on its lower end which is nonrotatably secured to an adapter indicated in its entirely by numeral I I1 and shown in elevation in Figure 14. The adapter is generally cylindrical in shape and has a passage ||8 therethrough of variable diameter, which passage at the lower end |20 of the adapter is formed with internal tapering surfaces |2I providing a flaring entrance for the said central passage.

The enlarged portion |20, comprising the lower endof the adapter, receives a sleeve |22 which is nonrotatably mounted on said lower end and retained in position by the retaining ring |23 having interfitting relation with a groove formed actas-is on the exterior of the adapter immediately above the enlarged portion |20. In order that the sleeve may be easily grasped and held while permitting rotation of the same, the` invention kprovides an auxiliary sleeve |25 `rotatably mounted on the sleeve |22 and releasably heldthereto by the retaining ring |26. The said retaining rings may be removed by a small tool such as a screw driver or the like, but when operatively positioned they allow rotation of the auxiliary sleeve |25 on the main` sleeve and also rotation of `said main sleeve with respect to the adapter. It will be observed that the sleeve |22 is not only rotatably mounted on the adapter but that said sleeve also may have slidable movement in a direction longitudinally of the adapter.

The lower end or nose portion |21 of the main sleeve is` internally threaded centrally thereof as `at; |28 for receiving a retaining `member indicated in its entirety by numeral 3|, Figure 9. By means of the threads the retainingxmember is iixedly secured to said main sleeve and said member extends within the sleeve having a threaded upper end |32 which is located within the passage I8 of the adapter.

Said retaining member is provided with three slots such as. |33 disposed lengthwise thereof and spaced from each other approximately 120 degrees. The slots receive the gripping jaws |34.y which are generally quadrilateral in shape, the gripping edge of the jaws oomprisingthe vertical side of the ligurel This edge is pointed, as shownby Figure 13, so that the same may engage and clamp the tool |35 `inserted within the retaining member vfor the purpose. The outer tapering edge |36 of each" jaw is adapted to engage with the tapering surfaces |2| lformed interiorly of the adapt-er. Each gripping jaw has a pair of openings transverse thereof through' which is inserted resilient members |38, Figure 13, in the. form of a split ring which causes outward movementor expansion of the Vgripping jaws to thereby allow insertion of a tool such as a drill |35. 'I'he gripping jaws thus normally expand to release the tool and it is necessary in order to grip the tool that the retaining member be forced upwardly Within the adapter includes the pivoted rele-ase iingers |40.

`Said fingers are located within longitudinal slots |4| formed inthe adapter and 'are ,mounted` for pivotal` movement yby the pins |42.. Threads |43 are formed on the inner edgeof the lower end `of each ngerand `which are adapted to engage with the threads |232 on the upper end of ,the retaining member. The resilient coil springs |44 yieldingly force the lower end of said fingers toof the retainingv member "upwardly within the ward the threaded `upper end of theretaining member `soV as to threadedly. connect the vfingers land `thus'theiadapter `with said retaining mem.-

ber.` f

An `actuating ring |.4Brisis1idably mounted on vthe adapter and has coaction with the. upper end olf-each, ringer so as to. actuate saidiingers.

accommodate the upper extremities of the re- `leaseriingersas will be clearly evident by reference to Figure 1, wherein the ringy member has been moved on the adapter into its `uppermost position,` to effect release of the iin,- Igers with the threaded upper end of the retaining member. When the ring member |48 is :moved down the upper extremities of the release iingers are received by the interior |50 of said ring member and accordingly, as a result of the coil springs |44 the threads |43 on the lower end of each finger are caused to engage with the threads |32 on the retaining member. In this position of the ring member the adapter and retaining member are threadedly connected.

In o-perating the chuck of the invention it will be understood that the shank and body member of the, chuck continuously rotate during the time the boring operations are being carried out. Assuming that it is desired to release the tool gripped by the chuck so as to insert a. new tool the operator need only grip the actuating ring 48 or |48 and move the same upwardly. The Y Y retaining member and accordingly the retaining member together with the lmain (sleeve, which is iixed thereto, is free to descend, which movement takes place automatically las a result of theV weight of the parts. The gripping jaws automatically expand with this downward movement of the retaining member and the operator is then jaws.

With the release studsA or ngers out of contact with the threaded end of the retaining member the said retaining member and the sleeve nxed thereto may be held against rotaable to insert the new tool within the 4tion with respect to the adapter and which operation can easily be effected bythe operator by merelygripping the Vsaid main sleeve and the auxiliary sleeve 2 5 associated therewith. This operation on the partof the operator holds the main sleeve stationary and accordingly the gripping jaws are held station-ary so as to allow the new tool tobe inserted without danger. After the tool has been located within the retaining member in associated relation with the gripping jaws the operator holds the tool in place and also holds the main sleeve 22 against rotation. The next operation is to move the actuating ring downwardly to its initial position. In this position of the `ring the studs or fingers, as the 'case may be', are forced into contact with the threaded end of the retaining member and said `member together `with the `gripping jaws and main sleeve are thereby threadedly connected with the adapter.

` It will be recalled that the adapter was described as continuously rotating. Since the retaining member and main sleeve are being` held lby the operator against rotation, it will be seen that relative movement between the parts is taking place, which is in effect screwing the retaining member within the adapter. Inother words, the release studs or lingers are rotating with respect tothe stationary retaining member. The-action results in the retaining member moving upwardly .withinthe adapter `and accordingly the gripping jaws are caused to close upon the tool to securely and rmly grip the same. As a result of the gripping of the tool by said jaws it will be seen that the adapter,

retaining member and the main sleeve 22 comprise a unit and that the parts must rotate together. For this reason the auxiliary sleeve 25 or |25 is associated with the main sleeve. In other words, said main sleeve rotates With the adapter when a tool is held bythe chuck but is `rotatable on the adapter following release of the tool. f

During the Aoperations of releasing the tool from the chuck, inserting a new tool, and causing the same to be gripped and held by the chuck, the shank and adapter rotate at their usual speed. Very little eiort is required to move the actuating ring so as to release the retaining member and thus the tool, and it will be observed that this movement for effecting release is in an upward direction against gravity so that it is practically impossible for the ring member to be inadvertently actuated. Another desirable feature of the present chuck resides in the high degree of safety by which a new tool can be inserted and which does not require stopping of the machine supplying the power for rotating the chuck. The entire operation requires the minimum of time and effort although the drill is securely held by the gripping jaws and which holding force increases in direct proportion to the increase in pressure applied to the tool.

What is claimed is:

1. In a chuck of the character described, a body portion having an axial passage forming an opening in one end thereof, a member having free axial movement on the body portion and also free rotation, said member including a cylindrical part providing a sleeve on the exterior of the body portion and a central projecting part extending within the axial passage in the body portion, gripping jaws positioned by the central projecting part for coaction with tapering surfaces formed by the opening in the body portion, control means on the body portion for operatively connecting said member with the body portion, saidcontrol means when operatively positioned having threaded engagement with the'central projecting part whereby relative rotation in a certain direction will effect axial movement of the member onto the body portion to cause the grippingjaws to close, and said control means when inoperatively positioned effecting release of the member from the body portion whereby the said member including the cylindrical part and the central projecting part may have fr-ee and independent movement on the body portion in an outward direction to cause the gripping jaws to open.

2. In a chuck of the character described, a body portion having an axial passage (forming an opening in one end thereof, a member having free axial movement on the body portion and also free rotation, said member including a cylindrical part providing a sleeve on the exterior of the body portion and a central projecting part extending within the axial passage in the body portion, gripping jaws positioned by the central projecting part for coaction with tapering surfaces formed by the opening in the body portion, control means on the body portion for operatively connecting. said member with the body portion, said control means when operatively positioned having threaded engagement with the central Tio projecting part whereby relative rotation in a certain' direction will eifect axial movement of the member onto the body portion to cause the gripping jaws to close, and said control means when inoperatively positioned effecting release of the member from' the body portion whereby the said member including the cylindrical part and the central projecting part may have free and independent movement on the body portion in an outward direction to cause the gripping jaws to open, and a stop on the body portion positioned for coaction with the cylindrical part of the member to limit outward movement of said member on the body portion.

3. In a chuck of the character described, a body portion having an axial passage forming an opening at one end thereof, a member having free axial movement on the body portion and also free rotation, said member including a cylindrical part providing a sleeve on the exterior of the body portion and a central projecting part extending Within the axial passage in the body portion, gripping jaws positioned by the central projecting part for coaction with tapering sufaces formed by the opening in the body portion, control means including movable members carried by the body portion and adapted to have movement transversely thereof for threadedly connecting the member with the body portion, said control means when operatively positioned having threaded engagement with the central projecting part whereby relative rotation in a certain direction will eifect movement of the member onto the body portion to cause the gripping jaws to close, and said control means when inoperatively posi- Vtioned effecting release of the member from the body portion whereby said member including the cylindrical part and the central projecting part may have free and independent movement on the body portion in an outward direction to cause the gripping jaws to open.

4. In a chuck of the character described, a body portion having an axial passage forming an opening in the lower end thereof, a retaining member extending within said passage and adapted to have free axial movement with respect to said body portion and also free rotation, gripping jaws retained by said member and positioned for coacting relation with tapering surfaces formed by said opening in the body portion, movable means mounted on the body portion for conn-ecting the retaining member with the body portion, said movable means in operative position having threaded engagement with the exterior of the retaining member whereby relative rotation `of the parts in a certain direction results in axial movement of the retaining member within the body portion to cause the gripping jaws to close,

'said movable means in inoperative position reterior of the body portion, a retaining member iixedly carried by said sleeve and extending within theaxial passage of the body portion, said retaining member for a portion of its length havvingv threads on the exterior thereof, gripping jaws carried by said retaining member at its end adjacent the sleeve and positioned thereby for coacting relation with taperingY surfaces formed by said opening in the body portion, whereby movement of the member in an upward direction will contract the jaws so that they will grip and hold a tool and movement of the member in a downward direction will permit the jaws to open, control means carried by the body portion and having an operative and inoperative position with the retaining member, said control means in operative position having engagement with the threaded exterior of the member to connect said member with the body portion so that relative rotation of the parts in a certain direction will cause movement of the retaining member to close the gripping jaws, said control means in inoperative position releasing the retaining member to permit the member to move `downwardly on the body portion to cause the gripping jaws to open, and said control means including an actuating ring positioned on the exterior of the body portion for controlling the position of said control means. i

6.V In a chuck, a body portion having an axial passage forming an opening in the lower end thereof, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the exterior of the body portion, a retaining member fixedly carried by said sleeve and extending within the axial passage of the body portion, said retaining member for a portion of its length having threads on the exterior thereof, gripping jaws carried by said retaining member at its end adjacent the sleeve and positioned thereby for coacting relation with tapering surfaces formed by said opening in the body portion, whereby movement of the member in an upward `direction will contract the jaws so that they will grip and hold a tool and movement of the member in a downward direction will permit the jaws to open, control means carried by the body portion and having an operative and inoperative position with the retaining member, said control means in operative position having engagement with the threaded exterior of the member to conneet said member with the body portion so that relative rotation of the parts in a certain direction will cause movement of the retaining member to close the gripping jaws, said control means in inoperative position effecting release of the retaining member so that the member will be free to move -downwardly on the body portion to'cause the gripping jaws to open, and a stop provided.

by said body portion on the exterior thereof for coaction with said sleeve to limit movement of the sleeve in a downward direction.

CARL A. PALMGREN. 

